Oak Ridge Today

Centrus raises more than $16,000 for United Way

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Centrus Donates to United Way

Pictured above are Lou Ann Lawson, Faye Grantham, Amanda Smith, Lydia Birk (2014 United Way Campaign Chair), Larry Cutlip, Cindy Light, and Gayla Hunter. United Way Committee members not present are Jamie Poland and Lana DiFiore. (Submitted photo)

 

Centrus Energy Corporation, formerly known as USEC, recently announced that they raised more than $16,000 in their 2014 United Way of Anderson County campaign. That’s a 10 percent increase compared to 2013, a press release said.

The release said the increase is vitally important for United Way of Anderson County, helping it recover from the last two years, which have been difficult.

“We are delighted that we are part of the solution,” said Larry Cutlip, a Centrus deputy director. “We know our community has struggled the last two years due to changes in federal funding, so our growth is exciting.” [Read more…]

Anderson Chamber elects new board officers

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Stephen Harris

Stephen Harris

The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce has elected new board officers for 2015. Here is submitted information on those elected.

Stephen Harris has been named chairman of the board, Rob Followell has been elected chair-elect, and Amy Allen has been elected treasurer for Anderson County Chamber of Commerce. Steve Heatherly has been named member-at-large.

Stephen Harris, engineering manager at Powell-Clinch Utility District, where he has worked for 14 years, is responsible for the daily operation of the Engineering, IT, and Building Maintenance Departments. Stephen is a graduate of Leadership Anderson County and has served as co-chair of the Chamber’s Government and Community Relations Council. [Read more…]

Sewer rehab work continues week of Dec. 22

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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue this week, starting Monday, December 22.

The work is being done by Hurst Excavating and Morgan Contracting under contract with the City of Oak Ridge. It includes rehabilitating sewer collection pipes within city easements in yards and in roadways, a press release said. [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Smokey

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Pet of the Day: Smokey

Submitted

Smokey is a large, gorgeous male that is available for adoption today. He is a neutered, Siamese mix that is just under two years old.

Let’s make his stay in the shelter a short one. [Read more…]

Free community meal on Friday at Unitarian Universalist Church

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The Stone Soup Ministry team at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will be serving a free community meal on Friday, December 26. Dine-in or take-out will be available in the Social Hall from 5 to 6 p.m.

ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike (close to traffic light number 2) in Oak Ridge.

Homemade tomato soup, cornbread, fruit, and cookies are on the menu. Everyone is invited, a press release said. [Read more…]

Kick off new year with January Jaunt at Clark Center Park, Gallaher Bend Greenway

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Clark Center Park Picnic Area

One of two large picnic areas at Clark Center Park. The park also includes a small playground, two ball fields, boat ramp, fishing trails, and beach. (File photo)

 

The City of Oak Ridge Wellness Committee and Oak Ridge Coordinated School Health will kick off the new year with a January Jaunt at Gallaher Bend Greenway and Clark Center Park. The community is invited to take part, a press release said.

The January Jaunt is a beautiful hike and walk that will showcase the greenway and park, the press release said. It will start at 9 a.m. January 10.

“The Gallaher Bend Greenway offers a quiet, forested trail with lovely vistas of Melton Lake,” the release said. [Read more…]

Knox sheriff searches for suspect in Farragut Pharmacy robbery

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Farragut Pharmacy Robbery Suspect

Source: Knox County Sheriff’s Office

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the man who robbed the Farragut Pharmacy located at 11424 Kingston Pike on Thursday evening.

The reported robbery happened just after 6 p.m. when the suspect entered the store, jumped the counter, demanded pills, and stole money from the register, the Sheriff’s Office said. He was armed with a handgun and is believed to have fled on foot toward Kohl’s department store.

He is described as a white male, 6’2”-6’4”, with a medium build. He was wearing a dark hoodie, black pants,black tactical boots, and a black backpack at the time of the robbery. [Read more…]

Animal Shelter: Black animals 50 percent off, foster pet special is $55

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Pet of the Day: Queen Elizabeth

It is Fantastic Friday again, and we have several black shelter pets just waiting on you. Every Friday all black animals are 50 percent off, so please come on down and change a life forever.

All foster pets are also on special for $55 dollars. [Read more…]

No holiday garbage pickup on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day

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Waste Connections Inc. will not pick up trash or recyclables in Oak Ridge on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, or on New Year’s Day, Thursday January 1, 2015.

For both weeks, the regular Thursday routes will be picked up the following day on Friday, and the regular Friday routes will be picked up the following day on Saturday.

Please have all refuse and recyclables out by 7 a.m. for the Friday and Saturday routes. [Read more…]

Halsam names Candice McQueen education commissioner

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Candice McQueen

Candice McQueen

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam announced Wednesday that Candice McQueen, a teacher and dean at Lipscomb University in Nashville, will be the next commissioner of the Department of Education.

McQueen, 40, now serves on Lipscomb University’s executive leadership team as senior vice president, and as dean, she oversees the College of Education as well as the 1,300 pre-k through 12th grade students in three schools at Lipscomb Academy, a press release said. She has led training, support, and professional development efforts for thousands of current and future classroom teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders.

Before joining Lipscomb in 2001, McQueen was a teacher in elementary and middle schools.

“Lipscomb’s College of Education produces some of our state’s best teachers, and Candice gets a lot of credit for that,” Haslam said. “She has taught in a classroom, so she brings both the experience of being a teacher and of preparing teachers to teach. I am grateful for her willingness to serve in this role, and I know she’ll do a great job as we continue our efforts to provide a quality education for all Tennessee students.” [Read more…]

Executive session leads to Commission fireworks

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Information from WYSH Radio

There was some drama during Monday night’s meeting of the Anderson County Commission when commissioners voted to go into executive session with County Law Director Jay Yeager to discuss the mounting number of lawsuits against the county. Executive sessions are called for when commissioners want to go behind closed doors to discuss sensitive issues, mainly of a legal nature.

On Monday, County Mayor Terry Frank indicated that she wanted to stay for the executive session, claiming ex oficio status as a member of the Commission. Commission Chair Robert McKamey declined her request, citing her own repeated public statements that Yeager is not “her” attorney, that he does not represent her, and that she neither values nor wants his legal advice.

After commissioners declined her request, she and several private citizens left the meeting room while commissioners retired to executive session. We will bring you more information as it becomes available.

Lawsuit filed against AC Circuit Court Clerk, county

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Information from WYSH Radio

A former employee of the Anderson County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office has filed an age discrimination lawsuit in Circuit Court against Court Clerk William Jones and the county.

Helen Forrester, 69, was fired on September 10, 2014, and according to the lawsuit filed Monday, after 24 years in the office. Forrester’s lawsuit claims that she was fired so that Jones could replace her with someone younger despite her “good, if not excellent” work and job performance evaluations.

The lawsuit also states that Forrester believed that she had an “expressed and/or implied contract of continuous employment (with the county), and otherwise maintained the right not to have her employment terminated without cause.”

The lawsuit seeks $300,000 in compensatory damages from the county for her “injuries, including a loss of salary, future earnings, and humiliation and embarrassment” caused by the defendant, and $300,000 in treble damages against Jones for “interference with (Forrester’s) employment relationship with Anderson County government” as well as court costs and a jury trial.